Steaming Rice Perfectly: Using Your Aroma Rice Cooker

Steaming rice in an Aroma Rice Cooker is a straightforward process. The first step is to rinse the rice and ensure it is free of excess dirt and debris. The next step is to add water to the rice. The ratio of water to rice varies depending on the type of rice and the model of the cooker. For example, the Aroma Digital Rice & Grain Multicooker recommends a 1:1.33 ratio of rice to water, while other sources suggest a 1:1 ratio. After adding the rice and water to the cooker, it is important to ensure that the lid is closed securely before turning on the cooker. The cooker will automatically switch to a Keep Warm function once the rice is done.

Rice to water ratio

The rice-to-water ratio depends on the type of rice you are cooking and the type of Aroma Rice Cooker you are using. The Aroma Digital Rice & Grain Multicooker recommends a 1:1.33 ratio of rice to water, meaning for every 1 cup of rice, you need to add 1 and 1/3 cups of water to the pot. The Aroma Select Stainless Rice & Grain Cooker, on the other hand, uses a 1:1 ratio.

The Aroma Rice Cooker comes with a measuring cup that equals 3/4 cups. It is important to use this cup for both measuring the rice and the water to ensure the correct ratio. If you do not have the measuring cup, you can use a 3/4 cup measuring cup instead.

For the Aroma Digital Rice & Grain Multicooker, you will add water to the pot until it hits the same number line as the amount of cups of rice used. For example, if you use one cup of rice, fill the water to the line 1 measurement marking on the inside of the rice pot. The Aroma Select Stainless Rice & Grain Cooker uses line markings on the inside of the pot as well. For this cooker, you will add 2 cups of rice and fill the water up to line 2 inside the pot.

It is important to note that the rice-to-water ratio may vary depending on the type of rice you are using. Longer-grain rice will typically need more water, while shorter-grain rice will need less. You may need to adjust the ratio depending on the results of your first attempt.

Rice cooker instructions

Before You Start

First, choose the type of rice you want to cook with. There are three main sizes of rice grains: long grain, medium grain, and short grain. The type of rice you choose will affect the amount of water you need.

Preparing the Rice

Lightly rinse the rice, swirling it around in cold water to get rid of extra starch from broken grains or other debris. You want to retain some of the starch so there’s a bit of stickiness, which is good for being able to pick up the rice with chopsticks. Drain the rice and repeat this process 1-2 times—you don't need the water to be completely clear.

Adding Water

Now, add the water. The ratio of water to rice will depend on the type of rice you are using. For long-grain rice, you will need a higher ratio of water to rice, whereas for short-grain rice, you will need a lower ratio. As a general rule, a 1:1 ratio of water to rice will work for any type of grain size. So, for every cup of rice, add one cup of water.

Cooking the Rice

Place the rice cooker pot back into the cooker and turn it on. Some rice cookers only have one power switch, while others may have additional settings, such as "normal" or "quick cook". Refer to your manual to make sure you know what settings to use. The cooking process will typically take between 20 and 30 minutes. Do not open the lid during cooking, as this will cause a loss of heat and steam and prolong the cooking time.

Fluffing the Rice

Once the rice cooker has finished cooking, let the rice sit in the cooker for about 5-10 minutes. This allows the moisture to evaporate and distribute evenly through the grains. Then, open the lid and use a rice paddle to fluff up the rice before serving.

Troubleshooting

If your rice is too dry or crunchy, you may need to add more water. Add 1/4 to 1/2 a cup of water, stir, and choose the "RICE" setting again to allow the rice to cook a little longer. If your rice is too soggy, stir it with a spatula to distribute the remaining moisture throughout the grains. Leave the rice in the cooker on the "KEEP WARM" function for another 10-20 minutes, or until all excess moisture has been cooked off.

Cleaning Your Rice Cooker

When cleaning your rice cooker, do not use harsh abrasive cleaners or scouring pads on the non-stick surface of the cooking pot. Instead, wash the pot and inner accessories in the top rack of your dishwasher or soak them in hot water and then wipe them clean with a damp cloth.

Rice types

There are three main sizes of rice grains: long, medium, and short. The type of rice grain you choose will affect the proportion of water needed.

• Long-grain rice is four times longer than it is wide and has a lighter texture. Examples include jasmine rice and basmati rice.
• Medium-grain rice is twice as long as it is wide and has a more tender and chewy bite. Examples include Arborio rice and risotto rice.
• Short-grain rice is almost as wide as it is long and has a plumper and stickier consistency. Examples include sushi rice and rice for salmon poke bowls.

The Aroma Digital Rice & Grain Multicooker can cook a variety of rice types, including white rice, brown rice, oatmeal, and other grains. It also has a setting for making chili.

The Aroma Select Stainless Rice & Grain Cooker is a simpler model that can cook rice and various grains. It does not have specific settings for different types of rice, but you can adjust the water ratio depending on the type of rice you are using.

For long-grain rice, a 1:1 ratio of rice to water is generally recommended. However, you may need to adjust this slightly depending on the specific type of rice and brand of rice cooker you are using.

For medium-grain rice, such as sushi rice, a 1:1 ratio of rice to water is typically used. This will result in slightly sticky grains of rice that are perfect for eating with chopsticks.

Short-grain rice also typically uses a 1:1 ratio of rice to water. However, short-grain rice will need less water than longer-grain rice, so you may need to adjust the ratio depending on the specific type of rice you are using.

It is important to note that the above ratios are for uncooked rice. If you are using pre-cooked or instant rice, the ratios may be different, so be sure to check the instructions on the packaging.

Additionally, if you are using enriched rice, which is common in the US, washing the rice before cooking may remove some of the added nutrients.

Rice preparation

Choosing the right rice cooker

The Aroma Digital Rice & Grain Multicooker is a good option for preparing rice. It can also be used to make oatmeal, other grains, chilli, and steam vegetables. It includes a digital screen and a delay timer for planned meals. The cooker has a non-stick ceramic coating and makes plump and consistent rice grains.

Rice type

The type of rice you choose will affect the amount of water you need to use. There are three main sizes of rice grains: long grain, medium grain, and short grain. Long-grain rice is four times longer than it is wide and has a lighter texture, e.g. jasmine rice. Medium-grain rice is twice as long as its width and has a more tender and chewy bite, e.g. Arborio or risotto rice. Short-grain rice is almost as wide as it is long and has a plumper and stickier consistency, e.g. sushi rice.

Washing the rice

Washing rice helps to remove excess dirt and debris left over from processing. It also removes extra starch to prevent the rice from becoming mushy. However, if you are using enriched rice, washing the rice might remove some of the added nutrients.

Rice-to-water ratio

The Aroma Digital Rice Cooker recommends a 1:1.33 ratio of rice to water. So, for every cup of rice, you need to add 1 and 1/3 cups of water. However, a 1:1 ratio will also work for most types of rice. If you are using the measuring cup that comes with the cooker, remember that it is equivalent to 3/4 of a standard cup.

Adding water and rice to the cooker

First, measure your rice using the provided cup. Then, rinse the rice in a strainer under cold running water until the water runs clear. Transfer the rice to the inner chamber pot of the cooker. Now, add the correct amount of water according to the rice-to-water ratio. Flatten the top of the rice with your hand to create an even surface for even cooking.

Cooking the rice

Close the lid of the cooker and turn it on. For the Aroma Digital Rice Cooker, press the "White Rice" button. The cooker will beep and alert you when the rice is finished and will automatically switch to a warming function.

Resting and serving the rice

Let the rice rest in the cooker for about 5-10 minutes after it is finished cooking. Then, open the lid and fluff the rice with a rice paddle before serving.

Rice troubleshooting

Issue: Rice is too hard

Solution: This is likely due to insufficient water. To fix this, transfer the rice to a microwave-safe bowl, add about two tablespoons of water, and cover with a towel. Microwave in 30-second increments until the rice is soft and tender. If it's still hard, slowly add more water and continue microwaving.

Issue: Rice is too wet and mushy

Solution: This occurs when there is too much water. Unfortunately, you can't remove water from the rice once it's cooked. However, you can reduce the amount of water used the next time you cook rice. If you don't want to waste the rice, you can reuse it to make dishes like Vietnamese chicken rice porridge or congee.

Issue: Rice cooker is not cooking rice

Solution: Ensure that the steam hole is open. Use an open paper clip to clear any blockage, as it may be blocked with a calcium deposit, especially if you have hard water. If the port is open, the heating element might not be getting hot enough, which is a common issue with slow cookers.

Issue: No steam releasing and water isn't cooking out

Solution: Check if there is water on the outside of the bowl-part of the cooker. Water inside the cooking area under the bowl can affect the cooking process.

Issue: Rice is unevenly cooked or slightly wet and hard

Solution: This may be due to the type of heating element in your cooker. The Aroma Digital Rice & Grain Multicooker, for example, has an induction heating element that cooks food evenly. In contrast, the Aroma Select Stainless model uses a single hot plate, which can result in uneven cooking.

Frequently asked questions